Thriving Taipan embraces challenge of former side

Malique Lewis isn’t too concerned about facing the South East Melbourne Phoenix for the first time in Round 5 of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season.

Rather, he’s embracing the greater responsibility he has on this Cairns Taipans team, where he has been instrumental in their three-game NBL winning streak.

Lewis spent the past two seasons in the NBL, but that was as a Next Star with the Phoenix, chasing his NBA dream.

Now as he prepares to face the Phoenix for the first time, all he’s worried about is doing the right things to help the Taipans keep on winning.

Lewis has been taking on the biggest defensive jobs all season at the Taipans and making an impact offensively, including hitting the match-sealing three-pointer on Sunday against the Hawks with just over 30 seconds to go.

Having had two seasons as a Next Star before being picked at number 60 in the 2026 NBA Draft by Washington (before being traded to Milwaukee), Lewis is happy to embrace the extra responsibility to now come and play in the NBL as an import.

“I feel like from the jump, knowing that I was going to come here as an import, that everything was going to change,” Lewis said.

“Coach (Adam Forde) has put a lot more responsibility on me, and it just gives me confidence to come in and make mistakes and get better.

“I feel comfortable out there; I’m in spots to excel and to show that I can do these things, so I’m in a good spot.”

Now that Lewis is finding his feet in his role as a defensive stopper, strong rebounder and another offensive weapon, alongside Jack McVeigh, Keanu Pinder and Jaylon Brown, Saturday night will be a big occasion for him.

He might be playing it down, but Lewis will be playing against the Phoenix for the first time.

While he has already played back at John Cain Arena this season in Cairns’ win over Melbourne United, it’ll be different facing the Phoenix.

“I don’t know, I’m neutral about it, and for me it’s going to be like a pick-up and I’m just trying to win,” Lewis said.

“I’ve been back already, and we were there last week at John Cain, so it’s nothing new.

“I guess being on the opposite bench will be weird, but yeah, I don’t know what to expect, and I’m just going to go out there to do my best and try to help my team win.”

Cairns’ Round 5 clash with the Phoenix tips off at 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN, 9Go! and 9Now.